Concern is growing around the security situation in the Savanes region, the scene of jihadist incursions that are causing population displacements. Several sources have reported in particular about ten dead, a few days ago, in an attack against two villages of Kpendjal, near the border with Benin. The Togolese authorities no longer communicate on the attacks or on their assessments, for the moment.
Operation Koundjoaré to fight against the terrorist threat in the North, emergency plan for the Savanes regionmeetings with donors… The Togolese authorities say they have taken the extent of the security problem for a long time and act to prevent the attackers from settling on Togolese territory.
A municipal councilor in the area recognizes the efforts made by the government, but he is sounding the alarm about the security situation in the Savanes. He says :
” The government is present, the police and security forces are fighting. They themselves suffer losses, but the expected result is not there and fear seizes all the populations of the Savannahs. We think we have to ring the alarm bell so that not only the government, but also people of goodwill can come to our aid. »
The security crisis is causing population displacements which also alarm some natives of the Savannahs such as Sultan de la Fada, a slam artist who dedicated a title to the displaced, after going to Kpendjal:
” I saw people on the move, families, children in an impossible situation. I said to myself that as an artist, I had to make a kind of testimony so that people could really know what it was like to go from peace to terrorism. »
The municipal councilor is also alarmed by the displacement of populations, and their consequences on agricultural activities. ” We wonder when it will end, so that these populations can return home and lead a normal life “, he concludes.
This threat targets destabilized areas, where the instrumentalization of certain community-type conflicts is possible…
Update on the security situation in countries close to the Savannah region